However, referee Martin Atkinson and his assistant adjudged that the ball had not crossed the line, despite replays showing that the ball was at least a yard in.

To make matters worse for Mark Hughes's visitors, they trail the relegation six-pointer 1-0 at the break courtesy of a goal from Darren Pratley. Veteran winger Martin Petrov's cross from the left was met by Pratley, who headed in his first ever Premier League goal from six yards out in the 38th minute.